March 8, 2024 Newsletter

A Message from Councillor King

Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Women and gender equity are key to building a vibrant and inclusive community and International Women’s Day is a call to action to accelerate women’s equality to build a better City of Ottawa. 

The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is “Inspire Inclusion.” When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

It was my pleasure to attend International Women’s Day events this morning both at City Hall, hosted by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Councillor Ariel Troster, City Council Liaison for Women, Gender Equity and 2SLGBTQ+ Affairs; and at the Rideau Community Hub hosted by the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre. It was honour to invite several community members to City Hall who included Maria Paula Choque, Keriya Nkundimana, Sajdah Hema and Pauline Nakamanya.

At the City, we know equity is essential to address imbalanced social systems. That is why the City’s Women and Gender Equity Strategy was designed with equity as a guiding principle, and we as a municipal government are making progress in making meaningful change, including:

• Integrating a gender lens in the City’s Official Plan for the first time, impacting how the City prioritizes the needs of women and gender-diverse persons,
• Ensuring that the diverse needs of intersectional groups are considered by City staff during the development and implementation of City initiatives,
• Launching a strategic hiring process to prioritize hiring candidates from employment equity groups including women,
• Allocating gender-based funding to benefit community organizations serving women and gender-diverse persons,
• Installing 200 gender-inclusive signs in public single-stall washrooms in more than 80 City of Ottawa recreation facilities; and
• Launching the Period Packs project, an innovative initiative to address period poverty by improving access to menstrual products.

We know we are all responsible for breaking the bias against women, not just within our City government, but also within our families, communities, schools, and in our workplaces. On this day we look to encourage and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of all women.

 

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Your Councillor in the Community

I was pleased to join Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier for an International Women's Day event earlier today, March 8, hosted by The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre at The Rideau Community Hub. 

 

I enjoyed a wonderful International Women’s Day event at City Hall this morning, March 8, with incredible community leaders, which included a conversation between PWHL Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Thank you to my guests for joining me for this important event.

I was honoured on March 7 to visit a PHSS home that is new to Ward 13. PHSS is a not-for-profit organization that provides care and supports across Ontario for individuals with medical and complex needs. Click here to learn more about PHSS. 

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Rideau-Rockcliffe News, Events and Engagement Opportunities

Road Closure - Mutual Street - March 11 to 20

The City has received a request for the closure of Mutual Street from Rainier Street to St. Laurent Boulevard from March 11 to 20. The closure is to facilitate site service connections. Affected residents and businesses will receive advance notification. 

 

Free Yoga Classes in New Edinburgh - Every Sunday morning & Wednesday evening

Enjoy free yoga at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, every Sunday, starting March 10, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Classes are also held every Wednesday evening, starting March 13, from 7 to 8:30 pm until the end of May. Unite breath and movement through an asana practice. Join Solmaz Hicks on her yoga journey, that began during the pandemic when she discovered a profound connection between mind, body and spirit. Through her yoga practice she changed the way she deals with stress entirely. You can too! Please bring your own mat. For more information, please click here.

 

Free tax clinic - March 16, April 6, 13 and 27

Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier and Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard host free tax clinics by appointment at 237 Montreal Road on March 16, April 6, April 13 and April 27. For details and to make an appointment, please call 613-744-4484.

 

Sugar Festival at Vanier Museopark - March 18 to 24

The Vanier Sugar Festival will be held from March 18 to 24, 2024 at Richelieu Park (300, av. des Pères-Blancs, Ottawa). The Sugar Festival is a free family and community event. For details, please click here. 

 

Second Annual Vanier 5K - March 24

Join Ward 12 Councillor Stéphanie Plante on March 24 for the second annual Vanier 5K, a fun-filled morning ending at Muséopark’s Sugar Festival. All funds raised from this event will go to Muséopark! Runners and walkers will race through Vanier, including the beautiful Beechwood Cemetery!

• Check in at 8:30 am. Race begins at 9 am.
• Tickets $20/person, $40 with meal ticket
• Visit this link to register or volunteer. Free breakfast for volunteers!

 

Dungeons & Dragons at the St. Laurent Complex - March 26 & May 7

Embark on amazing adventures playing Dungeons & Dragons at the St. Laurent Complex, 525 Coté Street. Create your own character and complete a campaign with other players. No prior experience necessary. Supplies will be provided. This program is offered in English. Program dates are Tuesdays 6:15 to 7:45 pm (March 26-April 30 & May 7 to June 11). For details and to register, please click here.

Free Children’s Playgroup at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse - every Thursday until the end of May

 

Children from newborns to four years old and their parents or caregivers are welcome to attend a free drop-in playgroup at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 am until the end of May. This is an informal and unstructured opportunity to socialize with other children in your community. For more information, please email [email protected].

 

Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre Tax Clinic - until April

The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre's free income tax clinic will be available until April 2024. The Income Tax Clinic offers free tax preparation services to low-income members of the community with K1K, K1M and some K1G postal codes. This service helps people eliminate the costs associated with preparing their tax returns, keeps them in good standing with the CRA, and enables them to benefit from the tax credits available to them. You may book an appointment by clicking here. If you have questions, please contact [email protected] or 613-745-0073.

 

Sidewalk Repairs To Resume

As part of the City of Ottawa’s annual infrastructure maintenance cycle, sidewalk repairs that began in October 2023 will resume this summer. In the next few weeks, sidewalks will undergo reparations at 7-9 Rideau Gate and at 10 Sussex Drive. For more information about sidewalk repairs, please visit ottawa.ca/constructionmap. Notices to local residents will be delivered approximately one week before construction resumes. The City of Ottawa will be repairing sidewalks as preventative maintenance aimed at extending the City's sidewalk network lifecycle. Work will involve removal and replacement of concrete panels, iron adjustments. Increased noise levels to be expected in order to facilitate the work. Roads will remain open to traffic with lane closures expected. Traffic control personnel will direct traffic through the site. The sidewalks will be repaired during the day and evening and will involve minor lane interruptions. Weekend work is anticipated for all locations and traffic interruptions may also be experienced due to flagging operations. The City of Ottawa has retained the Contractor, D-Squared Construction Ltd. to complete the work.

 

Youth Crocheting at St. Laurent Complex - April 4 and May 2

Crocheting for youth: Learn the basics or get a refresher on how to crochet. Learn chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, triple and make your first 'Granny Square'. No experience required. This program takes place Thursdays from 6 to 7 pm at the St. Laurent Complex, 525 Coté Street. Program dates are April 4 to 25 and May 2 to 30. Click here for registration and more details.

Montfort Hospital Public Consultations - Until April 10

Montfort, Ontario's francophone academic hospital, Savoir Montfort, a knowledge institute, and Santé Montfort are launching a joint strategic planning process. To this end, we embark on an extensive consultation process at Montfort, in the region, and across the province as part of our provincial mandate, to develop a 2024-2028 strategic plan that will guide us towards Montfort's 75th anniversary. Join the Montfort for public conferences and consultations to reflect on the future of health care, teaching and research in the region, and across Ontario's francophonie. 

Community consultations:

Monday, March 18 – RiverRock Inn, Rockland (bilingual)

Tuesday, March 19 – Ray Friel Recreation Complex, Orleans (bilingual)

Tuesday, April 23 – Hôpital Montfort (bilingual)

Also attend these public conferences, at Montfort and virtually: 

Tuesday, April 9 – Dr. Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health

Wednesday, April 10 – Matt Anderson, CEO, Ontario Health

Click here for more information and to reserve your place.

Donald Street Pole Renewal - Proposed for end of March 2024

Hydro Ottawa is planning to replace hydro poles along Donald Street, from Edith Avenue to Telford Avenue, and along Telford Avenue, from Donald Street to Straby Avenue. The proposed construction dates are from March 25 to July 26, 2024.
The proposed work includes:

• replacement of 22 poles along the right-of-way
• replacement of the remaining 34 poles along the existing Hydro Ottawa rear-lot easements
• replacement/installation of 11 new anchors for pole line support

Confirmation of the work schedule and additional details about this project will be communicated as they become available.

 

Rockcliffe Park Speaker Series - March 27

On March 27 at 8 pm, Cameron Love, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital will give an overview of the exciting plans to develop a new world class hospital and rebuild the future of healthcare for the Ottawa community. The event takes place at the Rockcliffe Park Community Hall, 380 Springfield Road. For details, please click here.

 

Women Action Forum - CAWI Caring Cities Initiative - March 27

 

Where: Rideau Community Hub cafeteria at 815 St. Laurent Blvd.

When: March 27 from 6 to 8 pm

What: CAWI Action Forums are large gatherings where we learn about, discuss, and act on issues that matter to women and gender diverse people in Ottawa. This Women’s Action Forum will launch CAWI’s Caring Cities initiative - an approach to 15-minute neighbourhoods, urban planning and policy which will guide CAWI’s work in the coming years. Caring Cities make sure that municipalities are designed around paid and unpaid care work. Join CAWI to learn more about how to apply this intersectional feminist framework to Ottawa and make our city truly a city for all.

Register at this link.

Concerts in New Edinburgh - April 5 and 6

 

The Crichton Community Council (CCC) proudly presents two Jim Bryson concerts at the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue, one on the evening of Friday, April 5 and a second on Saturday, April 6. Doors open at 7 pm. Music at 8 pm. Tickets are available for $30 from: April 5 Eventbrite or April 6 Eventbrite. Come early to claim a seat, then wet your whistle before the show. Standing room is available at the back of the room, near the bar. Licensed drinks and snacks will be available. Jim Bryson is a National Folk Award nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter and Record Maker. For more information, please click here.

 

Sladen Avenue and Noranda Avenue - Watermain Replacement - Spring 2024

 

A development-driven Watermain Upgrade Project is anticipated to start in Spring 2024 on Sladen Avenue and Noranda Avenue.

What - The work consists of the replacement and upsizing of the watermains on Sladen Avenue and Noranda Avenue for a total length of 255m. All private services will be replaced to the property line along with reinstatement of disturbed areas. The watermain replacement is driven by the planned development at 641 Sladen Avenue. 

Why - The owner of 641 Sladen Avenue (St-Laurent Academy - Ottawa Private School) will undertake this watermain upgrade work to meet the fire flow demands for a proposed development on the subject property. This upgrade of the existing watermain from 152mm to 200mm with a new fire hydrant will also improve the existing fire flow demands of the school, St-Laurent Academy.

Where - The project limits on Sladen Avenue are from Noranda Avenue to Malartic Avenue, while the project limits on Noranda Avenue are from St. Laurent Boulevard to Sladen Avenue.

More details on construction timelines, traffic management and parking restrictions will be provided in advance of the project.

 

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City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities 

Black Mental Health Week - until March 9

Don't miss the opportunity to attend Black Mental Health Week events running from (March 4th - 9th) which comes with a variety of vibrant and informative events, both in person and virtual. For details, please visit the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition on Facebook or at obmhc.ca.

Connecting with people you trust can help you get through difficult times. During Black Mental Health Week, #haveThatTalk about Mental Health. Get quick access to phone and video counselling from diverse staff in English, French and Arabic at no cost: https://counsellingconnect.org

Responding to Stressful Events

A message from Ottawa Public Health: Many of you have likely seen or heard reports of the awful events that happened in Barrhaven the evening of March 6. This news is hard to see and you'll likely be affected by this, perhaps even more than you’d expect. Take the time to process. Be honest about how you're feeling. Remember: it's completely normal to be affected by events like this. It's not "just you," we're all feeling it. Be sure to check in on each other. Ask someone how they're doing. It will matter. If you or anyone out there needs support, there are resources in the community that can help: http://OttawaPublicHealth.ca/StressfulEvents

March Break at the Ottawa Public Library - March 11 to 16

Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of activities and programs for children and teens during this year's March Break, running from March 11 to 16. With a week packed full of daily online programs and special events at various branches, there’s something for everyone! Registration is now open. For more information and to register, visit Ottawa Public Library's Programs and Events page. Click here for March Break programs for teens. Click here for March Break programs for kids. 

Tapestry presents: Stories from Ottawa’s Chinese-Canadian Community - Until March 16

Stories from Ottawa's Chinese-Canadian Community are on display at the City of Ottawa's central Archives - James K. Bartleman Centre, 100 Tallwood Drive, featuring newly acquired material. These materials highlight community advocacy and promote cross-cultural understanding on Chinese-Canadian media issues, community-police relations, and over 100 years of community history from early immigration to modern-day Chinatown. Drop by the Central Archives Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The display will be available for viewing until March 16. For details, please click here. Learn more about the Tapestry initiative by clicking here.

Spring Preparedness Operations Update

Since January, pothole crews have been working on temporary repairs, over 500 crews have been assigned and filled over 28,500 potholes! This is an increase of 38 per cent compared to last year where the number of potholes filled between January 1 and February 28, 2023, was 17,503.  In winter, conditions are not ideal for pothole repairs. The unstable conditions, including ice and water in the holes, as well as the cold temperatures and frequent freeze / thaw cycles, prevents the patch from adhering as well to the roadway making the repair temporary. Products that staff use to repair potholes during the winter months are Cold Patch and Warm Mix asphalt. For residents wishing to report a pothole, a service request can be created online.

To view the above images in a larger format and for the full Spring Preparedness Operations Update, please click here.

Test your recycling knowledge for a chance to win a full festival Bluesfest pass

Who knew sorting waste could be such a party! Join the Sort and Score virtual waste sorting challenge and you can enter for a chance to win the ultimate summer prize – a full festival pass to Bluesfest! Contest details are available at this link.

Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway virtual community discussion - March 18

& an Urban Community Walk - March 17

Parkways For People, a local active transportation advocacy group, will be hosting an online community discussion on the future of the Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway on Zoom Monday, March 18 at 7:30 pm. A stimulating discussion is sure to follow short presentations by: Dr. Robert Zarr (connecting outdoor activity and our well-being); Dave Adams (speaking on the birth of urban trails and their stewardship); Sherry Wu (Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library); and the NCC (Parkways custodian). Register on Zoom: KZMtalk.eventbrite.ca 

On Sunday, March 17, there will be an urban walk led by community member Siobhan Kirkland. Meet at Remic Rapids at 2 pm for a two-hour walk along the river path. No registration required.

Ottawa Film Office survey - open until March 19

The Ottawa Film Office is thrilled to invite you to participate in a series of consultations that will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction for the next three years. Your insights are invaluable, and we encourage your active engagement in this exciting process. You can take part in a survey in English or French until March 19.

17 annual Francophone RendezVous with Mayor Sutcliffe - March 21

Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 7:30 – 9 am at Jean Pigott Place, Ottawa City Hall

The City of Ottawa invites you to the 17th annual Francophone RendezVous with the Mayor on Thursday, March 21, 2024. On this day, Mayor Sutcliffe will welcome members of the Francophone community for a breakfast reception and networking event at Ottawa City Hall. This year’s event will focus on Ottawa’s francophone and bilingual post-secondary education institutions and their significant economic and cultural contributions to the community. If you would like to attend the event, please complete the registration form.

Interim property tax bills due March 21

• Financial institutions – including online or telephone banking
• City of Ottawa Client Service Centres
• Online by payment card: ottawa.ca/paytax
• By sending a cheque to the City of Ottawa
• Pre-authorized debit plan (future billings)

Vacant Unit Tax declarations due by March 21